Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Can i still breast (express) feed?

14 replies

missnatalie · 05/04/2008 00:18

I breast fed DS from birth for about 2-3w and then had to stop as he became very ill and taken into hospital. The Dr advised me to put him onto formula so that his feeds could be monitored and then top up with expressed breast milk. I then got ill and gave up on the expressing and my milk reduced. DS is now 7w and i do have some milk (if i massage and squeeze the breast, milk appears) and just wondered if i started to express again, would my milk gradually build up again. I only ask as we still have skin to skin every morning and now again he goes for the breast but then starts crying after a while, when im asuming the milk stops.
What do you think?

Nat x

OP posts:
SparklyGothKat · 05/04/2008 00:21

It is possible, I didn't feed on one side for about 2 months, because Callum wouldn't settle on that side, my milk was basically gone. I went to a BF clinic and the lady helped me latch him onto that side and told me to take Domperidone (sp?) and my milk came back on that side.

sushistar · 05/04/2008 00:23

You need one of the more knowledgable ladies to confirm, but i think ... yes! If you're still making milk, you can stimulate your body to make more through skin to skin, and encouraging lo to suckle often often often, and by expressing. I believe it's hard work, but I'm sue will be totally worth it if you can get him bfeeing again! Fennel tea can also encourage milk production.

kiskideesameanoldmother · 05/04/2008 00:26

you can give it a good go nat. when he cries, do you offer him the other side? this is the start of rebuilding your supply. you would need to be able to do this as often as possible, day and night. Co-sleeping will also help with the nights. you can also try feeding him in the bath. it takes a lot of commitment but it can still work out, I believe, but tiktok may still come along and qualify my information.

why don't you call one of the bfing helplines in the morning and ask for more advice? when relactating, it will help to have one on one advice from the same person over the period of time it will take to re-establish your supply.

their numbers are here

good luck.

sushistar · 05/04/2008 00:29

this website has some good information about it too:
here

Original poster
missnatalie · 05/04/2008 00:29

Thats good to hear. I'll steralise my breast pump in the morning and get started. Hes having such problems with the formula milk at the moment and when he does go for the breast he seems alot happier up untilit stops. Thanks ladies.

SparklyGothKat - whats Domperidone? Is it something that i can buy over the counter?
sushistar - ill also give the fennal tea a go.

I'll try anything

OP posts:
SparklyGothKat · 05/04/2008 00:34

You can buy something that contains it, called Molitium (sp?) which is for sickness. I was told to take 2 tablets a day for 5 days.

You can also buy 'More milk plus' from www.expressyourselfmums.co.uk But its quite expensive.

sushistar · 05/04/2008 00:34

remember as well that babies love the breast for comfort and love as well as milk, so even if he still needs lots of formula to have the chance to feed from you will make his day!

Also, my ds at 7 weeks would very happily stay on the breast for hours. I get the imprssion ffeeing is quicker / more organised - you may be glued to the sofa with a baby on the boob for the next few weeks if you go down this route, but it will be so worth it. good for you.

Original poster
missnatalie · 05/04/2008 00:36

That website has got some really good info. Ill have another look at it in the morning when im less tired.

Yeah i do offer him both breast but as its only happening now and again im not producing what he needs.

Im definatly going to give it another go starting tomorrow. I was really upset when the doctor told me to put him on the formula but if i can bulid up my breast milk and put him back on, it would be fab.

Thanks ladies, your wonderful x

OP posts:
SparklyGothKat · 05/04/2008 00:37

I went from part BF/Part tops of EBM and then from Part BF/Part tops with formula back to full BF over a 5 month period, because of Callum's weight problems. It is possible to get back to full BF but it take a long time, but so worth it. good luck

kiskideesameanoldmother · 05/04/2008 00:39

read sushi's link on galactagogues.

I took fenugreek capsules for a short while. they worked too. you can buy them online from www.goodnessdirect.com

here is a great link about fenugreek.

a lot of the links on this page will also help you brush up on the knowledge about milk supply etc.

still get advice from a bfc. as you will need to monitor formula intake as you attempt to increase your supply.

sushistar · 05/04/2008 00:42

wow Kat that's a real achievement!
Natalie remember there are some really knowledgable people on here who will know the answer if you have questions... and some really nice people who will encourage you if you need it! Good Luck!

Your ds is a lucky boy.

SparklyGothKat · 05/04/2008 00:48

thanks SS. I only gave the topups of EBM (via a NGT tube) because he was premature and he needed it, and then he wasn't gaining weight so was 'forced' by the health care professionals to topup with formula. I was finally given the courage by the BF clinic to stop the topups and get back to fully BF. I have been fully BF for about 5 weeks now and I am proud of myself.

Original poster
missnatalie · 05/04/2008 00:55

Thanks fro all of your help ladies. Off to bed now. Will try expressing and putting DS to the breast tomorrow. I'll let you know how i get on. Thanks again

OP posts:
kiskideesameanoldmother · 05/04/2008 01:03

goodnessdirect.co.uk (mistake on my last post)

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread